Launch of Defense and Security Working Group to Deepen Bulgarian-U.S. Cooperation and Support Strategic National and Regional Priorities

AmCham Bulgaria is proud to announce the launch of its Defense and Security Working Group. The idea was initiated at the end of 2024 and started organization structuring, goal setting, and outreach initiatives. Its scope of work includes support Bulgaria’s defense modernization processes, encourage strategic industry cooperation, and enhance dialogue between business, government, and international partners. This new initiative reflects AmCham’s commitment to fostering Bulgarian – U.S. collaboration in defense and security, while contributing to Bulgaria’s national goals, fulfilling NATO obligations and targets, and regional stability.

The group’s core objectives include:

  • Developing actionable recommendations to enhance Bulgaria’s defense and security policies and environment.
  • Facilitating the timely exchange of insights among members on strategic defense issues.
  • Promoting industrial partnerships between U.S. and Bulgarian companies to enhance capacity and interoperability.
  • Supporting increased, targeted investment in Bulgaria’s national defense and resilience.
  • Encouraging the acquisition of U.S. defense technologies through well-established frameworks such as Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Foreign Military Financing (FMF), Government-to-Government (G2G) cooperation (under exceptions to public procurement rules), and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) – in full alignment with Bulgarian laws, Bulgaria’s Defense Strategy, and EU regulations.

The Working Group aligns its efforts with the shared goals of strengthening regional security, supporting NATO and EU defense initiatives, and fostering innovation within the European defense industrial base. It recognizes the EU’s growing role as a credible and self-reliant security actor and sees this as complementary to the strategic importance of the transatlantic alliance. In this context, the Bulgarian-U.S. defense partnership remains a cornerstone of regional security and technological advancement.

Leadership

The AmCham Defense and Security Working Group is currently composed of several founding members who bring valuable expertise and insight. The group is led by Stoian Stoyanov, Kongsberg, Defence and Aeropace AS/ Lomini, and Krassimir Pingelov, Miltech Ltd. At this early stage, membership is by invitation only, allowing the group to establish momentum, align priorities, demonstrate impact, and build a credible foundation for future collaboration.

We look forward to sharing updates as the group progresses and contributes to shaping a stronger, more integrated defense and security environment in Bulgaria and the region.